Letter: Bad budget attitude

When the Permanent Fund dividend came about, paired with the stoppage of any state income tax, there were unintended consequences. I firmly believe Alaska attracted a different kind of migrant. As a result, this blow-up of the dividend prioritized over and above all of the needs of the state and its citizenry has created a conflict.

The cuts of education, pre-K through high school, and to the university; the cuts in Medicaid (lots of federal funding to lose here!), the removal of the Senior Benefit Program for low-income seniors and other losses, are shocking and cruel.I want my state to provide necessary services and opportunities for our residents.A solid high school education gives one a strong foundation for further academic and/or vocational training — the ticket for a productive livelihood throughout life.

Let us not deprive Alaskans of a way to make a decent livable income. Further, low-income seniors are unlikely to be able to find other sources of income.

The current budget crisis strikes me as a case of “give me my bumper dividend and don’t expect me to ante up anything.”

— Margaret Carey

Anchorage

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